Posted on 07/13/2004 9:23:06 PM PDT by locochupacabra
WHEN you work for a newspaper, you get used to it.
"Your paper is too liberal."
"Your paper is too conservative."
"It's too this."
"It's too that."
Then there was the phone call I got last week from Mike Papantonio, a talk host on the Air America Radio network — the liberal answer to Rush Limbaugh and conservative talk radio.
He wanted to know why we didn't cover a story — even though we did.
Air America has 15 stations across the country, but none in Houston. You can hear it on Sirius and XM Satellite Radio, however.
Papantonio challenged me about why the Houston Chronicle "ignored the Jon Matthews story."
Matthews, a former conservative talk show host, pleaded guilty last month to indecency with a child.
Papantonio said, "We're doing a story on the coverage of Matthews. First of all, the story was pulled from the Chronicle's archives, and you covered the story exactly one time since it happened.
"There was no mention that he was the most conservative, right-wing talk host in Texas.
"We're taking the angle that the Houston Chronicle just looked the other way. It looks like you ignored the story, and I'm really interested in why you pulled it from your archives."
When I heard this, I thought, "huh?" I read lots of stories on the Matthews case, from start to finish.
I clicked on www.houstonchronicle.com and checked the archives. There were nine stories about Matthews, from the investigation to the guilty plea.
Then it clicked on me. This isn't a cover-up. This isn't about political philosophy.
This is a spelling malfunction.
Try J-o-n Matthews.
Now check the archives again, Mike.
"Our researcher couldn't get the articles; I guess it was the spelling, but we eventually found them," Papantonio said. "So today we talked about Matthews, from a different angle, and the outrage from listeners was amazing."
Former Channel 2 sports anchor Chris Wragge started his new job with WCBS-TV in New York last week. Not surprisingly, he's catching some heat in the local media up there.
Wragge was hired to replace Warner Wolf, a 30-year veteran in New York and somewhat of a legend. It's no picnic replacing a legend. No matter what you do, you'll never be the other guy.
In a few interviews, Wragge had to defend himself before he even started.
He told one newspaper critic, "I am not a clown." He told another writer, "I'm not a shtick guy. I'm a nuts and bolts guy."
Wragge is a good guy and a talent. But whoa. Didn't Wragge host a singing talent show on Channel 2? Didn't he compete in sports events against grade-school girls during his sportscast? Didn't he stage a contest where viewers auditioned to replace him as sports anchor for a day?
There's room for that fluff on local newscasts. And he was terrific at it. I'm guessing that's why New York hired him. Viewers liked him. If you want scores and highlights, go to ESPN.
But if Wragge is telling writers that he's "nuts and bolts," he's only half right.
My favorite part of the Simon and Garfunkel concert last week at Toyota Center:
The duo finished a sensitive, romantic ballad. Simon peered at the audience, saying nothing, for about five seconds. Then he pleaded, "Can we have Roger Clemens back?"
Simon is a New York Yankees fan.
By the way, Astros owner Drayton McLane says no, you can't have him back.
Listen to Ken Hoffman on The Pat Gray Show, 8 a.m. Wednesdays, on KPRC Radio (950 AM). You can e-mail Ken at ken.hoffman@chron.com.
ha-ha...ha ha...Hou-ha ha Houston ping...bwahahahahahahaha
Where do they get that? I'd say that Dan Patrick is more "right-wing" and there are probably even hosts/managers even more so.
Houston (Air America bashes KPRC) PING
those leftists are nuts
Where does KPRC come into it?
ERR AMERICA PING
"Our researcher couldn't get the articles; I guess it was the spelling, but we eventually found them," Papantonio said. "So today we talked about Matthews, from a different angle, and the outrage from listeners was amazing."
So did they ever offer a retraction or in their Orwellian world, did this "never happen"?
The left takes a concept and just runs with it. I think that Dan Patrick has been willing to appear on Al Franken's show (he certainly threw his name out to Bill Maher who ducked and ran).
I slipped up because he was at KSEV 700AM AFTER Clear Channel fired all of the old staffers (and passed Dan Patrick up for manager). CC's Houston staff wanted "God talk" off the radio and no more discussion of specific bills in the state or federal congress.
To clarrify, Herr America was bashing conservatives by bashing Jon Matthews. Jon Matthews was a talk show host, so in part they were bashing Houston talk radio (Air America erroneously called him "Texas' most conservative host"). In addition, they bashed the liberal Houston Comical because their fact checker kan't spel.
And these losers wonder why everyone not indoctrinated into the socialist platform thinks they're nothing but a joke.
This Yankee fan says Houston can keep Clemens. I hope he enjoys driving around in his Hummer in October listening to the Yankees in the World Series!
The duo finished a sensitive, romantic ballad. Simon peered at the audience, saying nothing, for about five seconds. Then he pleaded, "Can we have Roger Clemens back?"
Simon is a New York Yankees fan.
By the way, Astros owner Drayton McLane says no, you can't have him back.
Why are the Astros in freakin' fifth place, anyway? Are they missing me that badly? :-)
When liberals stray or violate the law, they become candidates for federal office.
I know I'm not the only one who sees this pattern.
I keep wondering if Jon actually exposed himself on purpose, or if he was taking a whiz in the backyard and the kid saw him? I never heard details. I guess that is why Jon plead guilty? Didn't want the details out? SO SAD. I really liked Jon.
Poor Roger didn't do so well last night.
Truth be told enough has been made of the issue.
I thought your County Chairman had told you the facts of this case months ago.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.